Griffin Anderson
with OUR Center

Griffin Anderson, a volunteer for two and a half years at the OUR Center kitchen, comes from a family of volunteers. In fact, volunteering is so important to Anderson, that when she looked for employment, she wanted to make sure she could coordinate her volunteer work at the OUR Center with her part-time paid position at Einstein's Bagels.

"She's around a lot of volunteers-it's kind of a mindset. She has always had others help her and she wanted to give back. It's very rewarding for her. When she is there, she feels appreciated for who she is," said Danette Anderson, Griffin's mother. "Griffin loves her volunteer work. There is a sense of family at the OUR Center. They are friendly. They all work together. People can have physical or mental disabilities and nobody judges," said Danette.

Griffin, who has developmental delays, has participated in Special Olympics for many years. Her brother, Graham, and her mother have volunteered for Special Olympics during that time. Volunteers have also helped Griffin ride horses at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center.

They've been helping me out-I'd like to give back to the community," said Anderson.
Anderson works in the OUR Center kitchen every Tuesday and Thursday without fail. She is assigned to the kitchen where she helps with preparation of the noon meal. She helps make salads, sandwiches, serves lunch and helps clean the dining area after lunch. Prior to volunteering in the kitchen, she volunteered in the food pantry--receiving donated food products, marking out bar codes, stocking the pantry shelves, and bagging rice, beans and cereal.

"Griffin takes her role as volunteer very seriously and yet maintains her wonderful sense of humor. Griffin is a delight to work with and is well loved and appreciated by all the staff, volunteers and clients here at the OUR Center," said Linda Ulibarri, Volunteer Program Coordinator.

When she is not working or volunteering, Anderson enjoys talking with friends on the telephone, going to the movies, doing arts and crafts, scrapbooking, and participating on both the swim team and the track team for Special Olympics.

For information about volunteering with OUR Center or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.